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News of the demise of the desktop is premature. Mobile computing devices drive popular interest in technology, but the reality remains that if you need power, expansion and have heavy duty processing needs, the venerable desktop still rules. Heavy content creation, heavy duty video creation and editing and any type of work that involves creating multimedia, other devices just can provide the necessary muscle.
Offering up a system that clocks in at slightly less than a grand, this is according to Gateway, www.gateway.com, their new Gateway FX 6868-UR21P packs a lot more value than you might expect. It also sports a stylish enclosure that adds some visual panache to the proceedings.
What once took thousands to get something close to top of the line, well a grand goes a lot further than it did even a few years ago. Offering up Intel's latest Core i7 third generation Ivy Bridge processor, 8GB of RAM, a 2GB video card and 500 watts of power, this is not a bargain basement knock out that compromises in the wrong places.
Startup times are much faster than one would expect, shut off is swift and the system ships with a surprisingly low amount of bloatware. The days of long sign in processes and registration are over. Simply plug the system in and you are ready to go online. WiFi is built in, something that is becoming more common place, and the ability to have tool less front loading access to hard drive storage that does not require one to open the case.
This all speaks well for a system that provides the basics that are not often seen in this price point. Usually to obtain a processor like this, the power, and the graphics card, usually you are looking a packing on a few hundred to come close.
Where Gateway made changes from this model versus the top tier come in terms of hard drive space and memory. Considering the expandability, where they chose to scale down makes sense and still offers up a decent powerful system that will be more than sufficient for those wanting to run Windows 7, edit video, play a few games and create content for the Web and other multimedia. Having hyperthreading and four cores makes a difference, and it is perceptible in contrast to last years processors.
Cases from boutique makers tend to be more elaborate. Sometimes they become so much so that they fall into poor taste.
The design team who worked on this model made sure garish design didn't become part of the finished product. Swooping lines augmented by discreetly placed lighting to the sides are discreetly placed, and can be turned off. The touches add a certain "sporty" look without alienating those that want a more sedate system. Yet, there is enough design forward thinking to make it feel appropriate for those who want more daring design, but not over the top excess.
Finding an all around desktop that provides value, power and room to grow, Gateway has produced a surprisingly full featured system that is designed to appeal to those that want to do more than browse the Web, but are not ready to go for break the bank features or price points that are in the stratosphere.
Even if you elect to build a system yourself, you would be extremely hard pressed to have this much power and expandability in these price points. The value for power equation is very adeptly balanced here with emphasis placed where it should be.
When compared to what nearly every other maker has, even with their overclocked systems, by the time you look at features and price, Gateway's latest offerings pack an incredible amount of value and ease of use into a very stylish package. Avoiding the pitfalls of bloatware, long start times and cost cutting in parts and features, FX 6860-UR21P provides enough value and power to keep media enthusiasts happy and price point aware digital designers, students and home power uses totally satisfied.
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